Lieutenant General George Armstrong Puller (of no relation to the famous "Chesty") entered a familiar government conference room. As always, he mentally remarked that no matter where you went a government conference room was always the same - a functionally boring white-walled box. One of the main reasons he made so much effort to attend one Field Training Exercise each year was just to escape the boxes, with the same boring conference tables in the same boring boxes. His job there was still nothing but meetings, but at least with the olive drab pavilion walls and folding plastic tables he didn't get the same soul-numbing feeling he did everywhere in DC. The only thing that ever really changed was the quality of the chairs, and these chairs practically screamed that their cushions were only for very high-ranking buttocks. Puller's mere 3 stars meant he exceeded the chair's minimum rank requirements, but he was not the most senior in the room, even now. On the other hand, he wasn't the most junior either.

He was also almost the last person to enter. His thoughts continued to try to distract him with the fact that if it weren't for the stupid parahuman terrorists, and appearance's sake, he'd be better off jogging across the 14th Street Bridge and across the Mall, he'd get here to the Old Executive Office building faster. He nodded to General (ret.) Tom "Spook" Crews, who was in charge of "No Such", and smiled at Gloria Hasper, who had earned her post as the first female CIA Director. The normal CIA representative was seated next to her, and a very nervous and shell-shocked junior analyst was trying to disappear into the wall behind her. He did note the rather conspicuous absence of Director Costa-Brown and the PRT. "Whatever she has, Hasper is convinced it was worth spending the capital to keep Becky the Ice-Witch away. This just became a lot more interesting."

He has just placed his briefcase by his normal chair, and was about to sit down, when the first of the Secret Service detail entered the room, taking his post behind the remain empty chair. As the next Secret Service man took his post on the wall at the other end of the conference room, everyone else at the table rose. And President Matherson, General (ret.), entered the room. "At ease. Take a seat."

"Alright, Director Hasper. You said you had big news."

"Yes, Mr. President. Analyst Santos," and she briefly indicates the not-inconspicous-enough analyst by the wall, "was struck by the similarity of the Family's structure to those of our Special Forces teams. Deeper analysis by him and his team convinced him, and me, that Earth is the site of a proxy war between Scion's polity and the Endbringer's polity. The Family are the equivalent of UN observers." At this point, the President raised his hand, and the Director stopped speaking. He obviously considered many things, then lowered his hand again. The director continued. "Internally, we've been using the term 'Thetan Empire' to refer to Scion's polity, and 'Trade Confederation' for the Endbringer's."

"Those are ... interesting ... labels you've assigned to the opposing polities, Gina. Not the ones I would have expected."

"Nor I, Mr. President. As Scion arrived first, he obviously represents an expansionist power, thus Empire. And given the Endbringer's focus on trade and resource infrastructure, we believe them to be a heavily mercantile power."

"I see. And the other terms in the labels?"

"The Endbringers are impressive, expensive, and heavily focused force. The kind that's very good at attracting political backing, and are best used reactively. Which implies a diversified, civilian-focused, political power. Thus, federation or confederation. Or even league. Confederation seemed to fit best."

"And Thetan?"

"Given the effects of parahuman powers on human psychology, when they appeared, and so forth... Hubbard may have actually gotten something right."

"Alright." The president raised his hand again, and thought in silence for a few more seconds, then lowered his hand back down. "George. How are things going with Project Sling?"

"Sir. We've had 115% acceptance by our Davids. A number of them suggested additional candidates that we had missed in our assessment that turned out to be exceedingly good candidates on their own. All of them are as committed as Jake was. We're still getting everything stood up, but we'll be ready when you call."

"Gina. How do you believe that Boss Hebert fits into this?"

The CIA director glanced over at Brian Santos. "Sir, we've speculated that Mr. Hebert is a native contractor employed by the Family. We have yet to establish how old the relation is, nor if his Village was or is intended to provide an operational reserve."

"I see. I think it's time we locked that down, and I don't believe we can continue to try to take the slow-and-soft approach you have all been attempting. Director Hasper. You and your team will provide a full briefing packet concerning the Family, Boss Hebert, and your current inferences to be shared with all the agencies that have placed assets within the DWU." He scanned the remained of the room. "The rest of you will all instruct your agents within the DWU to break cover after they have received the packet, and for them to politely inquire of Boss Hebert what his relationship with the Family is, and his and their intentions towards America, and towards the opposing polities. George, you, I, and John Hailey will be meeting to discuss our negotiation position. Mr. Santos, your insight and data will be required to assist."

Brian Santos leaped to attention, saluting the President, "Yes Sir!"

"Relax, soldier. Asking 'How high?' on the way back down doesn't do anyone any good."

Santos swallowed. "Yes sir."

"George, you'll read in Director Hasper, Mr. Santos, and any others you and she may require into Project Sling. In the meantime, I believe I have some bricks to present to Treasury and the DOJ. Good job all. Get it done." And with that, the President rose and moved on to the next crisis.

A few weeks later, Lisa knocked on Danny's door, then entered his office without waiting for his response. He looked up from his paperwork, surprised at her unusual behavior.

"Um. Boss? You need to call Saurial over from the BBFO now. There's 13 guys from the government who want to talk to the both of you." Lisa looked slightly guilty, and very worried. "I think we goofed. We've been too convincing."